Gorilla glue is perfectly safe for aquariums. According to their website, it takes 7 days to be completely cured. Once the curing process is complete, the bond will be 100% waterproof and non-toxic.
Is gorilla glue aquarium safe for gluing glass panes? No, you cannot glue glass panes using gorilla glue.
You’re meant to use gorilla glue to glue rockwork or wooden pieces. All gorilla glues are safe for aquariums if you’re not using them to glue the glass panels.
Let’s get into the details.
Can you safely use gorilla glue on aquarium plants?
Gorilla glue is entirely safe for aquatic plants. You can use gorilla glue to attach aquatic plants with wooden pieces or rocks. The adhesive is waterproof and seals a perfect bond with the aquarium plants.
What happens when you use in a fish tank? Is it safe for your aquariums fish?
It’s okay to be skeptical about using gorilla glue in a fish tank. Be rest assured – it’s safe to use gorilla glue in a fish tank.
Gorilla glue is made from a substance called Cyanoacrylate. This substance doesn’t let the glue react with anything when wet. Hence, the plants are safe. (Read more: Does Gorilla Glue Work On Wood to Wood?)
What kind of glue is used in a fish tank?
Superglue and pure silicon are the most common adhesives used for a fish tank. The superglue should be made of cyanoacrylate. You just have to make sure that no additives or toxins are added to the glue.
The 7 tips for your aquariums when using glue
Superglue is safe for aquariums. It’s generally used for joining mosses and rock. You can also add plants like anubias and java fern to hard capes like rocks and driftwood.
Here are seven significant steps you can follow while using superglue to take your aqua scaping game to the next level:
1. Only use the gel version
Using the liquid version of the glue can cause a mess. It’s also harder to apply and control compared to the gel version.
Gel glue is thicker than regular glue, and you can easily manipulate it. Use the gel version for your aquarium and save yourself some trouble. (Related: Is gorilla glue gasoline resistant?)
2. Don’t use too much glue
The glue generally gets a whitish color once it forms a bond underwater. Most people don’t like the look of it. That’s why you should use just enough glue that you’d need to seal the bond.
A trick to get around this is to use sand or soil. Add sand or soil to the glue as it starts to cure. It will hide the white color and give the aquarium a natural look.
Related: Is Gorilla Epoxy Food Safe? Why Not Use?
3. Glue rhizome instead of the roots
When gluing a rhizome plant, don’t apply the glue all over the plant. You can cause the plant to suffocate and end up killing it. Glue the roots instead of the entire plant, and your plant will be alive and healthy.
Related: Does Gorilla Glue Have a Smell: Important Facts?
4. Use nitrite gloves
The issue with superglue is that it can easily stick to your hands. You can avoid it by using nitrile gloves. It’ll protect your fingers.
A word of warning is, don’t use latex gloves.
If you want to avoid using gloves, you need to be careful when applying the glue. Pour the glue on the rock or hardscape and place the plant. Use the glue bottle cap to press the plant against the hardscape.
Related: Does Gorilla Glue Work On Fabric? 3 Minute Read
5. Combine thread and glue
Glue is potent in forming bonds between the plant and the rock. But it’s not always enough to hold down top-heavy plants. If you have tall plants in the aquarium, they can come apart if you’re only using glue at the root.
You can use glue combined with a thread to remedy this situation. You only need to do this for the top-heavy plants where the glue’s bond may fall short. Doing this will guarantee that your plants stay where it’s supposed to.
Related: Does Gorilla Glue Work on Wood to Metal?
6. Make hardscape with glue
Don’t limit the power of the glue to just adding plants with rocks. Play around with them. You can make extraordinary hardscapes by using glue.
You can attach pieces of driftwood to make it look like a tree. You can also add elements of rock together and create the perfect hardscape of your choice.
Related: 5 Clever Ways to Make Gorilla Glue Stick Better
7. Apply glue before taking the object under water
Glue cures very quickly once you put it in the water. Don’t apply the glue underwater. Apply the glue first, and then put the attached objects underwater.
Hold down the objects for a few minutes to ensure they stay in place. You can then remove your hands as the glue gets cured.
Related: How Long Does Gorilla Glue Take To Dry?
What gorilla glue is safe for aquariums?
The gorilla superglue is safe for aquariums. Make sure you get the gel version instead of the liquid version. Any superglue, in general, is safe for aquariums.
You just have to make sure that it has no additives and is non-toxic for plants. The superglue gel of Gorilla Glue has all these things in check.
Related: Does Gorilla Glue Work On Metal?
Conclusion
Now you know about if gorilla glue aquarium safe or not. Using superglue for aquarium is super safe. It’s a big revelation when you realize that for the first time. It’s way more convenient than using thread to tie the different pieces together.
We hope the tips will help you in your aqua scaping journey. Follow these steps to make an excellent piece.